Chapter 18%
Candice stared blankly at the IV drip, her wrist wrapped in gauze, her lips parched. The quiet beep of the monitor beside her was the only sign that time was passing. It should’ve been tranquil here–sterile and silent–but her mind was anything but.!!
She couldn’t believe what River had done.
Even now, she replayed it in her head. The way his hand had gripped her wrist. The cold, furious glint in his eyes as if she were a stranger to him. She had seen hate in men’s eyes before–but never River’s. Not the man who once swore he would give up the world for her.
Candice closed her eyes, trying to block out the sting.!!
Seven years.!!
That’s how long she had stayed away. How long she had believed that River would always come back. She had left for her career, thinking It was a temporary pause in their story. She didn’t even say goodbye properly. Why would she? She knew River would wait. He always did. And when he didn’t. when she saw that he had moved on with someone else with Allison–she wasn’t worried at first Allison was beautiful, sure, but quiet. Safe. A girl with dreams painted in colors instead of ambition. She wouldn’t last, Candice had thought. River would get bored
But she was wrong.
She was so damn wrong.
She underestimated Allison–and she overestimated herself
And now here she was. Alone. In pain. And worse, replaced.!!
And
At first, Candice wanted to walk away again. Let River and Allison destroy each other. But something in her snapped the moment River raised his hand to fier. Not just physically–but emotionally. It wasn’t just rage. It was betrayal. She was supposed to be the only one who had the power to break River–not the other way around.!!
No, she wasn’t going to walk away this time.
She picked up her phone, her fingers trembling but determined.
She had kept tabs on Allison–out of curiosity, maybe, or out of some twisted jealousy she didn’t want to name. And when she gave the order to one of River’s old men, it was almost too easy.
“Send me Allison’s address,” she whispered hoarsely
But before the man could give her a full response, his tone changed. “Ma’am. River’s already on his way there. We just found out.“3
Candice’s stomach twisted.
What?!
No.
She had been too late
She grabbed her phone and opened a new message. The number was one she had obtained months ago, when she was to be indifferent. It belonged to Allison
You think you’ve won? He’ll never truly love you. Never the way he loved me.8
still pretending
Her hands paused over the screen. She could send it. She should send it. But would it matter now? River was already chasing her
Still, she pressed send.
Candice didn’t believe in fate. But if she did, she’d say it had betrayed her long ago,
River had never felt more restless on a flight
He stared out the window, watching the clouds shift beneath them like ghosts. His phone buzzed non–stop with reports–updates on the people who had hidden Allison’s location, on the betrayal inside his circle. Every single man who helped cover it up was dealt with. He didn’t care about loyalty anymore. Not if it meant losing her!!
Allison.2
His wife.!
No–his ex–wife, technically. But the title didn’t matter.K
All that mattered was getting her back
He had been a fool. Blinded by familiarity, by history, by whatever spell Candice had cast over him years ago. But Allison–she had always been real. Honest. Warm. She gave up everything for him, and what did he give in return?
Lies. Infidelity
A shattered heart!!
He clenched his fists as the plane finally landed. The moment the wheels touched Swiss soil, he bolted. No checked baggage, no hesitation.!
His first stop: a flower shop. Roses, white and red.
Next the university. He had done his research. She was enrolled in a Master’s program for Fine Arts. Of course she was. It made his chest ache with both pride and guilt. She had finally chosen herself. The Allison he had stolen from the world years ago was finally painting again–living again.”
And he wasn’t part of that world.
6
Next the university. He had done his research. She was enrolled in a Master’s program for Fine Arts. Of course she was. It made his chest ache with both pride and guilt. She had finally chosen herself. The Allison he had stolen from the world years ago was finally painting again–living again.
And he wasn’t part of that world
He stood outside the art building, the cold nipping at his skin, the bouquet trembling in his hands. His heart raced with every student that passed by And then–E
She appeared!
She looked different Stronger. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, specks of paint still clinging to her fingers, her scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. She was talking to someone beside her–laughing.
River took a step forward, mouth opening to call out her name–But someone else got to her first
Younger Dressed in a thick cost, holding a bouquet of lilies.
The man walked up confidently, said something that made Allison smile. Then–without hesitation–he leaned in.
et the world chift beneath him.
The flowers sipped from his hands and hit the snow.
He watched as Allison’s hands gently touched the man’s arms, not pushing him away, not reacting in surprise–but like it was familiar.
done it before
His chest caved int
Was the Had she moved on?
He couldn’t move Couldn’t breathel
supposed to go.
He was supposed to arrive, apologize, beg–and win her back. That’s how their story was meant to continue. But now… now she was with
